Whom the Lord Calls He Qualifies

Whom the Lord Calls He Qualifies

10707_000_009

Most members of the Church will have many opportunities to receive a “calling”—an assignment to serve. “The Lord expects each of us to have a calling in His Church so that others may be blessed by our talents and influence,” said President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994).1

Church leaders, who themselves have been called to serve, rely on other members to accept and fulfill the callings they are offered. Each new calling is an opportunity to serve and grow and should be approached humbly and prayerfully. Calls to serve in the Church are given by priesthood leaders after they have sought inspiration from the Lord. “You are called of God,” explained President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency. “The Lord knows you. He knows whom He would have serve in every position in His Church. He chose you.”2

In our callings we represent the Savior, and the work we do—no matter how small it may seem—has eternal consequences. The influence of a dedicated Primary teacher, for example, could inspire a child to serve a mission one day. Or an usher’s friendly greeting could help a struggling member feel welcome at church.

The Lord will help us in our callings, especially when we feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities. When we pray to Heavenly Father for guidance, He will direct us through inspiration and will bless us to serve well. The Lord helps those who serve Him and will add His power to their efforts (see D&C 84:88). As President Thomas S. Monson promised, “When we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.”3

As we follow the Lord’s example of service and obediently fulfill our callings and Church responsibilities, our lives will be blessed and we can become more like God (see Moroni 7:48; D&C 106:3).

We do not seek callings, nor do we typically decline callings that come through proper priesthood authority (see Moses 6:31–32).

When we are helping do the Lord’s work, we can pray for and receive His help (see D&C 84:88).

All callings are equally important; the Church needs nursery leaders as much as Relief Society presidents (see 1 Corinthians 12:14–18). How we serve is more important than where we serve.

For more information, see chapter 14 in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow (2012).

Give Your Best Effort

“Your power will be multiplied many times by the Lord. All He asks is that you give your best effort and your whole heart. Do it cheerfully and with the prayer of faith. The Father and His Beloved Son will send the Holy Ghost as your companion to guide you. Your efforts will be magnified in the lives of the people you serve.”

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “Rise to Your Call,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 76.

Answering Questions

Why does the Church have unpaid clergy?

From the beginning, the Lord has called His disciples from among ordinary people with diverse backgrounds. They served out of love for the Lord and for others. In the Book of Mormon, for instance, the prophet Alma chose priesthood leaders and “commanded them … [to] labor with their own hands for their support. …